Spurs v Liverpool - Mauricio's preview

Mauricio Pochettino is keen for us to forget about past results against Liverpool when we return to action opposite the Reds at White Hart Lane in Saturday’s 12.45pm kick-off.

We’ve lost our last five consecutive meetings with the Anfield side, but a run of three wins and a draw on the domestic scene prior to the latest international break means we go into the game feeling confident.

Of course, Liverpool themselves will be buoyant following the arrival of new manager Jurgen Klopp, but Mauricio – named Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month for September – has highlighted the importance of staying focused on our own game and showing our desire to win from the very first whistle as we look to prevent the Reds from escaping with the points again.

“It’s a big game but it always is in the Premier League,” he said. “We need to forget about the past and try to develop our game. I think that we have the possibility to win the game and we believe in the way that we play.

“Liverpool are coming with a different manager, a different style, different ideas but the most important thing is how we take the game.

“We need to be focused on our job and try to deliver. We need to start the game very aggressively and be very focused on our job with no special attention on how they want to play.”

Our last outing a fortnight ago against Swansea City ended all square at 2-2 but, since that match, a number of our players have been away on international duty.

Mauricio says it may be difficult for the team to slip straight back into the groove, but believes the same goes for Liverpool and all the other teams in the division.

“For all clubs it’s difficult with the international break,” he added. “For us it’s the same – we’ve had 16 or 17 players away and I think that we need to work hard now.

“We are now back here all together and it’s not easy, but this is the rule in football and we need to accept it.”

Finally, on the prospect of facing Klopp in his first game in English football, Mauricio added: “Liverpool have created a big expectation but I’m happy that Jurgen Klopp is here. He is a great manager, he showed a lot of positive things in Dortmund and always it’s great that the big managers come to the Premier League.”